Methods and devices for occluding a patient's ascending aorta

Abstract

An aortic occlusion catheter has a blood return lumen for returning oxygenated blood to a patient and an occluding member for occluding the patient's ascending aorta. The blood return lumen has openings on both sides of the occluding member for infusing oxygenated blood on both sides of the occluding member.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A catheter system for occluding a patient's ascending aorta and returning oxygenated blood to the patient from a bypass system, comprising: a shaft having a blood flow lumen, the blood flow lumen being sized to provide full bypass support for a patient;   an occluding member mounted to the shaft, the occluding member having a collapsed shape and an expanded shape, the expanded shape being sized and configured to occlude a patient's ascending aorta;   a venous cannula having a blood withdrawal lumen; and   a bypass system coupled to the blood withdrawal lumen for receiving blood from the patient, the bypass system also being coupled to the blood flow lumen for returning blood to the patient;   the shaft also having first and second openings in fluid communication with the blood flow lumen, the first opening being positioned proximal to the occluding member and the second opening being positioned distal to the occluding member.   
     
     
       2. The catheter system of claim 1, wherein: the occluding member is attached to the shaft at a proximal portion and a distal portion, the occluding member also being attached to the shaft along a portion extending between the proximal and distal portions.   
     
     
       3. The catheter system of claim 1, wherein: the shaft includes a reinforcing wire.   
     
     
       4. A catheter system for occluding a patient's ascending aorta and returning oxygenated blood to the patient from a bypass system, comprising: a shaft having a blood flow lumen, the blood flow lumen being sized to provide full bypass support for a patient; and   an occluding member mounted to the shaft, the occluding member having a collapsed shape and an expanded shape, the expanded shape being sized and configured to occlude a patient's ascending aorta;   means for sensing a pressure on a side of the occluding member;   the shaft also having first and second openings in fluid communication with the blood flow lumen, the first opening being positioned proximal to the occluding member and the second opening being positioned distal to the occluding member.   
     
     
       5. The catheter system of claim 4, further comprising: means for sensing a pressure on another side of the occluding member.